The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-11-11
MARKETING POULTRY.
How to Dress and Ship Fowls for the City
Markets.

How to Dress and Ship Fowls for the City
Markets.
Do not scald the poultry, but pick
them dry. Bleed them in the mouth
when killing, and pick quickly. II
scalded, the skin turns blue, tears and
becomes ragged, thus injuring the ap-
pearance. When dry-picked the natur-
al firmness Of the flesh remains. but
when scalded it soon becomes soft and
fiabby, while the heat from scalding
causes rapid decomposition of the con-
tents of the bowels. The dry-picked
poultry bring the highest prices. Clean
illness is important. Cool the carcasses.
carefully sew up all rents or torn places
on the skin. wash clean in cold water.
wipe dry, and pack in clean barrels or
boxes, no packing material being need
ed. In summer ship in refrigerator
cars if possible. Always carefully re-
move the pin feathers.
Where ducks and geese are sent to
markets requiring them drawn. they
may be scalded; then wrap them in u
cloth for two minutes. when the feath-
ers and down will come off clean.
Very early in the season small chicks
sell readily because Of the scarcity of
larger sizes. but the usual preferred
weight is from one to one and a half
pounds. but later on those Of two
pounds are preferred. In winter all
stock can be shipped better and more
economically when killed and dressed,
but in summer the best mode is to ship
poultry alive.
Live poultry should always be sent
by express, and should be sent in coOps
high enough to allow the birds to stand
up. Never crowd them, but allow
plenty of room, so that they can move
about in the coop for food and water.
Place a piece of cloth over the top OF
the coop for shade, but leave the sides
as open as possible. Any kind of coops
will answer. but the lighter the better.
Always provide food in boxes, ut several
points in the coop, also gravel. with
cups to hold water. If the coops are
large. use partitions and divide the
birds. Ship each size together-never
mix large and small.
Always get receipts from the rail-
roads. and notify the commission mer-
chant day or two in advance, and al
ways ship SO as to reach the market
not later than Friday. Any commits
sion merchant will send you quotations
on application. but the prices you will
obtain depends, as We have stated.
upon the condition of the birds on
arrival, and the quality. Common
fowls never sell as we'll as pure breeds
or crosses.
In selling eggs, be careful to use
shipping crates, as ''barreled eggs
always bring low price, owing to
prejudice. Assert the eggs. Put all
the dark ones together and the white
ones together Never allow stale
egg to get in among your eggs. as the
discovery of stale one casts suspicion
on all, no matter how fresh they may
be. Make all necessary arrangements
before you get ready to ship so as to
avoid delay, and when the stock then
leaves your Hands you will have no
further difficulty. as the merchant will
look out for it at the other end Of the
journey. If it will pay You to sell
nearer home than in the large cities.
take advantage of it First estimate
Coz: Of transportation and commissions.
and above all. letcleanliness prevail
Form and Garden